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2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. G. L. G. DESIGNOLLE. Amalgamating Apparatus.

Patented June-15,1880.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. G. I G. DESIGN-OLL'E. AmalgamatingApparatus,

No. 228,806. Paiented June 15, I880.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFicE.

PAUL G. L. Gr. DESIGNOLLE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

AMALGAMATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 228,806, dated June 15, 1880.

Application filed October 23, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PAUL GUSTAVE LoUIs GABRIEL DESIGNOLLE, of Paris, France, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in an Apparatus for Extracting Amalgamable Precious Metals, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to the extraction of amalgamable precious. metals, these being in a free state, or, which is preferable, previously amalgamated in any suitable way.

To collect the gold or other precious metal a series of amalgamated plates are employed which are so disposed that the pulp flows slowly in a sheet from one to the other, depositing the metal on the surface, where it remains attached. Such plates have been and are in common use; but as heretofore made and used they are open to the objections that they occupy much room, are very costly, and demand continual watching, and that the gold or precious metal deposited on a thin layer on the plates is so exposed that any so desiring can profit by a favorable moment to scrape off and thus possess himself of the deposited material, which has great value in a small bulk.

The object of this invention is to make an apparatus of limited dimensions and small cost which will allow of the treatment of large quantities of ore in a short time, the ready collection of the deposited amalgam, the rapid preparation of the pieces for a new fixation of the amalgamable metal, and, finally, the fastening by lock and key, which last provision gives great protection to the miners.

In order to obtain the end sought, a series of plates, alternately fixed and rotary, are arranged in a vertical series, and these being amalgamated the pulp is caused to traverse them seriatim under the action of the centrifugal force and gravity. The plates are inclosed in a casing with hinged sections, so that it may be opened to give access to the plates, or closed and locked when desired. The fixed plates are attached to this casing, and are made in parts, so that when the sections of the casing are turned on'their hinges the plates are divided and appear like shelves. The whole interior of the apparatus may in this way be exposed. The fixed plates are considerably concave on the upper side, and

consequently, when divided, access is more readily had to their surface for the removal of deposited material.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and which represent an apparatus constructed in accordance therewith, Figure 1 being a side elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 2 a plan. In both figures one of the hinged sections of the casing is shown open.

A represents a series of plates of amalgamable metal, copper, or silver, secured upon the vertical shaft B. The latter is supported in bearings, and is revolved by means of suitable gearing. As shown, power is conveyed through the bevel-wheels C from a belt running on pulleys D.

The plates are preferably of the form shown that is, conical near the center and fiat toward the outer rim-and are carried, with the shaft B in rotation.

A cylindrical casing, E, incloses the plates and shaft. It is made of sheet or wrought iron, for example, and is composed of four movable sections hinged to upright rods extending from the bottom to the top plate of the apparatus. On the interior of each section is a series of pieces of amalgamable metal attached like shelves. These pieces are in the form of sectors, so that when the casing is closed they form fixed concave plates F, which alternate with the .rotary plates A. In the center of these plates F is an opening somewhat larger than the exterior diameter of the shaft B, so as to leave a space between for the passage of the pulp. Each of the fixed plates should surround the edge of the rotary plate next above it, although this is not essential. For convenience, each of the sectors maybe in parts, as shown and indicated by letters ff.

Suitable devices (not shown) are or may be provided for locking the casing, which can be supplied by any locksmith.

In order to put the apparatus into operation, the metallic plates, perfectly cleaned or scoured, preferably by mechanical means, are amalgamated by an amalgam of sodium or by means of bichloride of mercury, or in any ordinary or suitable way.

When the plates present a fine continuous white surface the apparatus is closed, locked, if desired, and the pulp is introduced at the upper part of the apparatus through a suitable opening. The shaftB is rotated. The pulp falls upon the conical part of the first plate A and expands over its surface. Under the influence of the centrifugal force it runs over the edges and falls upon the first fixed plate F below it. This plate being concave, its own weight carries the pulp to the center and through the opening therein onto the next rotary plate. From thence it passes to the next fixed plate, and so on. At the bottom the waste or sterile portion of the ore only should escape.

The number and dimensions of the plates and velocity of rotation of the shaft should be varied with the nature of the gangue, as this is held more or less readily in suspension in water, and also according to the degree of fineness and sparseness of the contained gold or precious metal. The time during which the operation should be continued before opening the casing depends upon the richness of the ore.

When the operation is finishedthat is to say, when the plates are covered with a cer-' tain quantity of amalgam of the metal to be extracted-the casing is opened and the surface of the amalgamated plates scraped with a scraper of rubber. The gold or other amalgam obtained is treated in a retort in the usual or in any suitable way, and the scraped plates are subjected to the action of mercury until the surface presents a continuous white appearance. Then the operation is recommenced.

In order to amalgamatc the copper or silver plates for fixation, a concentrated solution of bichloride of mercury, (corrosive subli1nate,) with an addition of chloride of sodium, (common salt,) is placed on the surface thereof, or the mercury-salt may be placed thereon and water added. A plate of iron is then applied to the moistened surface. The mercury is precipitated and amalgamation takes place. The chloride of iron formed is washed off with water in large quantities. The iron plates maybe replaced by iron-filings held in suspension in the mercurial solution; and, moreover, in the case of copper, the use of iron is not indispensable. It suffices to use the bichloride of mercury alone dissolved in water or glycerine.

Although I prefer to amalgamate'the plates by means of bichloride of mercury, yet I do not intend to limit myself thereto, as any ordinary or suitable means may be used. Neither do 1 claim herein the amalgamation of metals by such means, as this forms the basis for a separate application, filed October 10, 1879.

' In the first part of this specification I have stated that the precious metal to be extracted is preferably amalgamated previous to its delivery to the apparatus. This statement has reference to the process described and claimed in my said former application, in which the amalgamation of the metal while it is held in suspension and the means for effecting the same are fully set forth. My apparatus can, however, be used to extract gold or other precious metal in a native state in accordance with the ordinary processes.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus for extracting amalgamable metals, the series of rotary plates of copper or other suitable amalgamable metal, secured on a rotary shaft, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a series of rotary plates of copper or other suitable amalgamable metal, of a series of fixed plates, also of amalgamable metal, alternating with the rotary plates, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with rotary and fixed plates of copper or other suitable amalgan1- able metal, of a casing formed with one or more hinged sections for inclosin g said plates when shut, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for extracting gold and other amalgamable metals, the casing formed with hinged sections and provided with a vertical series of concave plates of copper or other suitable amalgamable metal, the said plates being formed in parts corresponding with the hinged sections and fixed thereto, substantially as described.

5. An apparatus for extracting gold and other amalgamable metals, which consists of the following elements in combination, viz a series of plates of copper or other suitable amalgamable metal, arranged in vertical series on a rotary shaft, a casing formed of hinged sections inclosing said plates when shut, a series of concave plates of copper or other suitable amalgamable metal, formed of sectorshaped pieces, fixed in vertical series to the sections of said casing, and arranged to project between and alternate with the aforesaid plates on the rotary shaft, substantially as described.

DESIGNOLLE'.

Witnesses:

JOHN N oRnIs, Pozzo DI BORGO. 

